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Relocation expenses reimbursed

Telework eligible

This job is open to

Clarification from the agency

This position is open to all qualified candidates First consideration may be made 14 days after the opening date.
This is a career ladder opportunity with promotion potential to grade 13. Selection for this position to be made at the grade 09, 11, 12 or 13 level. Candidates may be non competitively promoted to the next grade level , up to grade 13, upon the recommendation of the supervisor based on classification requirements, satisfactory performance and qualifications of the employee.

Announcement number

Control number

Duties

Summary

This is an opening for a software developer in the Data Systems division of the Chandra X-ray Observatory Science Center to work on the Chandra data archive. The archive contains terabytes of data, ensures their integrity, security and uninterrupted access, and provides interfaces for archiving and retrieval to science center operations and Chandra users.

Responsibilities

The successful candidate will work to extend and maintain the archive functionality and to support its operations. Knowledge required for the position includes C/C++, Java, SQL, database design, scripting languages Perl/Python, web development using HTML, CSS and JavaScript, Unix environment, and experience working with relational database servers, web and JEE application servers. We offer a challenging environment working in partnership with science and data systems operations teams and an existing software development team, to bring Chandra data products and analysis tools to the astronomical community at large.

1. Function as part of a team to assist in and/or implement all aspects of the software development lifecycle: requirements generation, design, code, verification and test, and maintenance.

2. Generate code following the Data System software coding and design standards, applicable vendor's literature, and established practices that are consistent with the overall system architecture.

3. Develop software components and subcomponents/modules to support the Chandra Data archives and the interfaces to the archive for the Data System division. Create new programs that add to system capability and modify existing programs to meet new requirements. Obtain necessary data to verify requirements and test software.

4. Define scientific and system requirements to develop and evaluate data archives and interfaces by working closely with systems engineers, scientists, and other IT Specialists. Obtain necessary data to verify requirements and test software.

5. Verify and test all generated software and maintain code as part of an overall system.

6. Generate documentation for the software according to Data System guidelines.

7. Perform other duties as may be required.

In addition to the duties above duties at the grade 12 may include but are not limited to:

conduct software development at the component level by interpreting Data System software project standards and developing documentation accordingly, ensuring compliance with standards throughout the development; propose and develop new standards when modifications or extensions of existing standards are needed.

oversee the integration of software modules and components into the system. Automate rigorous unit and regression tests to verify and validate the system across platforms.

In addition to the duties above duties at the grade 13 may include but are not limited to:

Interface with science staff at the highest project levels to obtain information regarding their needs as the users of the system. Analyze the scientific hardware requirements and the physical systems involved to define the scientific requirements and develop the system requirements, taking into consideration the rapidly evolving technology and the need, at times, to significantly deviate from established practice to meet the goals of the project.

Qualifications

For all positions individuals must have IT-related experience demonstrating each of the four competencies listed below.1. Attention to Detail - Is thorough when performing work and conscientious about attending to detail.2. Customer Service - Works with clients and customers (that is, any individuals who use or receive the services or products that your work unit produces, including the general public, individuals who work in the agency, other agencies, or organizations outside the Government) to assess their needs, provide information or assistance, resolve their problems, or satisfy their expectations; knows about available products and services; is committed to providing quality products and services.3. Oral Communication - Expresses information (for example, ideas or facts) to individuals or groups effectively, taking into account the audience and nature of the information (for example, technical, sensitive, controversial); makes clear and convincing oral presentations; listens to others, attends to nonverbal cues, and responds appropriately.4. Problem Solving - Identifies problems; determines accuracy and relevance of information; uses sound judgment to generate and evaluate alternatives, and to make recommendations.AND

Candidates for the grade 09 must possess a minimum of one year of specialized experience equivalent to the grade 07 in the normal line of progression for this occupation. Specialized experience is experience that has equipped the applicant with the particular competencies/knowledge, skills, and abilities to successfully perform the duties of the position such as such as designing software and participating in all phases of software development lifecycle; developing new software modules to be used in complex software systems supporting data processing, maintaining and modifying legacy software; and testing and verifying new and existing software.

Candidates for grade 11 must possess a minimum of one year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the grade 9 in the normal line of progression for this occupation. Specialized experience is experience that has equipped the applicant with the particular competencies/knowledge, skills, and abilities to successfully perform the duties of the position such as skill in advanced debugging techniques and version control software and skill in developing new software, modifying existing programs, and planning, coding, testing, and maintaining programs that may present complex problems.

Candidates for grade 12 must possess a minimum of one year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the grade 11 in the normal line of progression for this occupation. Specialized experience is experience that has equipped the applicant with the particular competencies/knowledge, skills, and abilities to successfully perform the duties of the position such as knowledge of image handling, graphics, display systems, and database management systems, skill in the development of deliverable software at the subsystem level while conforming to rigid external standards and skill in operation of workstation and microcomputer class computer systems

Candidates for grade 13 must possess a minimum of one year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the grade 12 in the normal line of progression for this occupation. Specialized experience is experience that has equipped the applicant with the particular competencies/knowledge, skills, and abilities to successfully perform the duties of the position such as as interfaces with science and/or engineering staff at the highest project levels to obtain information regarding their needs as the users and operations representatives of the system. Analyze the physical systems involved to define the scientific requirements and develop the system requirements, taking into consideration the rapidly evolving technology.

OREducation:All academic degrees and coursework must be from accredited or pre-accredited institutions. Undergraduate or Graduate Education: Degree in computer science, engineering, information science, information systems management, mathematics, operations research, statistics, or technology management or degree that provided a minimum of 24 semester hours in one or more of the fields identified above and required the development or adaptation of applications, systems or networks.

Grade 09:master's degree or equivalent graduate degree or 2 full years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to a master's degree or equivalent graduate degree

Grade 11: Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degreeor 3 full years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to a Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree.

Knowledge in mathematics, less than that required for a professional mathematician, but sufficient to communicate with scientists and engineers concerning the nature of the calculations being performed and algorithms being developed

Skill in developing new software, modifying existing programs, and planning, coding, testing, and maintaining programs that may present complex problems

Benefits

A career with the U.S. Government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package. As a federal employee, you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding. Learn more about federal benefits.

Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full-time, part-time, or intermittent. Contact the hiring agency for more information on the specific benefits offered.

How to Apply

Click on the "Apply Online" button on the upper right side of the page. Please Note:

You must apply for this position online through the 'Apply Online' button.

Faxes are received by an automated system, not a physical fax machine. Documents that are faxed as part of the application process must be sent with the system generated cover sheet by the closing date. Documents faxed without the system generated coversheet are not retrievable and cannot be considered as part of the application package.

Clicking the "DONE" tab does not submit your application. The "DONE" tab allows you to exit the system and save your information for completion at a later time. To submit your application, click the "FINISH" tab.

The complete application package, including any required documents, is due in the Smithsonian Office of Human Resources on the closing date of the announcement by 11:59 PM Eastern Time.

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Next steps

You will receive an e-mail to acknowledge that your application has been received. Please be aware that the confirmation e-mail could reside in your "junk" or "bulk" mail folder depending on your filters. The Smithsonian receives many applications for each job. Each application is reviewed carefully, which may take a few weeks. You may also check your application status by logging into www.usajobs.gov and selecting the tab "My USAJOBS;" or by contacting the Office of Human Resources Representative listed. Additional Information:

The Smithsonian does not pay relocation expenses, but may pay a Recruitment Bonus.

Fair & Transparent

The Federal hiring process is setup to be fair and transparent. Please read the following guidance.

Equal Employment Opportunity Policy

The United States Government does not discriminate in employment on the basis of race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy and gender identity), national origin, political affiliation, sexual orientation, marital status, disability, genetic information, age, membership in an employee organization, retaliation, parental status, military service, or other non-merit factor.

Reasonable Accommodation Policy

Federal agencies must provide reasonable accommodation to applicants with disabilities where appropriate. Applicants requiring reasonable accommodation for any part of the application process should follow the instructions in the job opportunity announcement. For any part of the remaining hiring process, applicants should contact the hiring agency directly. Determinations on requests for reasonable accommodation will be made on a case-by-case basis.

A reasonable accommodation is any change to a job, the work environment, or the way things are usually done that enables an individual with a disability to apply for a job, perform job duties or receive equal access to job benefits.

Under the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, federal agencies must provide reasonable accommodations when:

An applicant with a disability needs an accommodation to have an equal opportunity to apply for a job.

An employee with a disability needs an accommodation to perform the essential job duties or to gain access to the workplace.

An employee with a disability needs an accommodation to receive equal access to benefits, such as details, training, and office-sponsored events.

You can request a reasonable accommodation at any time during the application or hiring process or while on the job. Requests are considered on a case-by-case basis.

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Smithsonian Institution

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